50 new recreation centre for senior citizens: Dikshit

New Delhi, June 4 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Thursday announced that 50 new recreation centres for senior citizens would be set up across the capital. She also said that maintenance amount for the recreation centres would be enhanced from Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000 to enable senior citizens get tea and breakfast there.

“Issuing I-cards to senior citizens would not be stopped,” said Dikshit while addressing the 3rd meeting of the state council for senior citizens at Delhi secretariat here.

The chief minister said that there were many old couples in Delhi who are forced to live alone, while many were living without any support of their family and society, and thus the government had decided to establish more old age homes in various part of the city.

She said 50 recreation centres were already being run by the social welfare department and 50 more would be established.

“Old age pension will be provided to any senior citizen of Delhi whose income is below poverty line. The rates and coverage of old pension being provided by the state government will be reviewed at a periodic interval of three years,” she said, according to an official statement.

Dikshit also said that steps will be taken to enhance the security of senior citizens by putting in place arrangements through the local welfare associations and police. Senior citizens will also be helped to organise themselves into groups that can improve their security.

The chief minister also said that Delhi health services have already started “Sunday Clinics” in 10 hospitals for senior citizens.

Social Welfare Minister Mangat Ram Singhal and other senior officials of the Delhi government were also present on the occasion.